Adriano Moraes rides Lil' Slinger on Sunday during the third round of the Professional Bull Riders World Finals at Mandalay Bay. Photo by Isaac Brekken/Review-Journal.

Growing up in Brazil, many kids dream of becoming professional soccer players or bull riders.

Yes, bull riding is second in popularity to soccer in the South American country.

"We don't have many opportunities in Brazil. ... We're all from poor backgrounds and the only opportunity in life we have to step out of poverty is to make money riding bulls," said Adriano Moraes, a two-time Professional Bull Riders' World Champion from Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Moraes, 36, was one of only six riders to cover their first three bulls in this year's PBR World Finals in Las Vegas and is tied for second place in the event with Wiley Petersen entering tonight's fourth round at the Thomas & Mack Center. Both have 262.25 points and trail leader L.J. Jenkins, who has 268 points.

Moraes, the first two-time PBR world champion, will have to overtake fellow Brazilian Guilherme Marchi to become a three-time world champ.

Marchi, who covered just one of his first three bulls in the eight-round finals, has a large but not insurmountable lead in the season standings entering the final weekend.

"I am not thinking about (winning the world title)," Moraes said. "I'm going to ride all my bulls, and my goal is to win the only title I don't have -- the World Finals."

Moraes pretty much paved the way for Brazilians such as Marchi and PBR Rookie of the Year candidate Robson Palermo to succeed in the United States. Moraes won the PBR's first world championship in 1994 and again in 2001.

"He was really the pioneer. He opened doors for a lot of these guys," PBR president Ty Murray said.

Ednei Caminhas gave Brazil two PBR world champions in two years when he won the 2002 title.

Most of the Brazilian bull riders come to this country after dominating the sport in their native country, where winning riders are paid with vehicles.

Fabricio Alves won 39 motorcycles, 38 cars and seven trucks before coming to the United States. Palermo won 11 motorcycles, one car and one truck en route to winning last year's Brazilian bull-riding championship.

"In Brazil, there's not much entertainment in small cities or towns, so when the rodeo or bull-riding circuit comes to town, everybody goes," Moraes said. "A four-day event will attract 15,000 to 20,000 people, and some big events draw 800,000 in 10 days."

Murray recalled competing in an event in Brazil in 1994 in front of 90,000 fans, but he was more impressed with the bulls.

"The bulls were fantastic, unbelievable, great, great, awesome bulls," he said. "I think that has a lot to do with the talent that comes out of Brazil. They have the opportunity to get on so many great bulls, and that obviously makes them better."

Bull rider Paulo Crimber, who started working in Brazil when he was 7, agreed.

"I think we have a little more determination. We try harder, because our life is a little tougher in Brazil than here," he said.

Moraes said most Brazilians are religious and faith helps them remain focused. He also said the language barrier in the United States brings them closer together.

"It keeps guys a little more tied together, so we can help each other," Moraes said. "It also keeps us away from distractions, because of our lack of English, which is good in a sense. They cannot flirt as much with the girls, and it keeps them a little more low-profile."

Always willing to lend a hand to his fellow Brazilians, Moraes said he has focused on his own riding more this year.

"I try to help everybody, and that's what's hurt me the last four years," he said. "I try to help too much and don't leave energy or consideration for myself.

"I stepped back a little bit, and now when it's my turn to ride, I still have energy and concentration. The guys feel better, too, because I put too much pressure on everybody because I want them to succeed."

Murray, who wants to expand the PBR, which opened offices in Canada, Mexico, Australia and Brazil last year, said it will be fun to watch Moraes and others try to catch Marchi this weekend.

"He's got his work cut out for him," Murray said of Moraes. "It will be exciting to see what happens. That's why the PBR World Finals is the most exciting sport in the world."